Dodgers bring Uribe back on two-year deal

A year ago, the idea of the Dodgers giving Juan Uribe another multi-year deal – or another contract of any kind – would have been laughable.

But the veteran’s second-half renaissance this past season and the wafer-thin market of available third basemen brought the two sides back together again. The Dodgers and Uribe reached agreement on a two-year deal Saturday that will bring the 34-year-old back as their primary third baseman. The deal is believed to be for around $15 million.

Following his key role in the San Francisco Giants’ 2010 run to the World Series title, Uribe signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Dodgers. The first two years of the contract were a waste for the Dodgers as Uribe batted .199 and degenerated to a forgotten piece on the Dodgers’ bench. But last season, he re-emerged, playing steady defense and batting .278 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI. His two-run home run in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the NLDS eliminated the Atlanta Braves and sent the Dodgers on to the NLCS.

That (and his popularity in the clubhouse) was enough for the Dodgers to want to bring the 34-year-old Uribe back in 2014 – but on their terms. Their original offer of a one-year contract and an option for a second year was not good enough, though, when Uribe drew interest from other teams, primarily the Miami Marlins.

His signing should settle a Dodgers’ infield that could have had a lot of moving parts without his return. The Dodgers had kept a possible switch of Hanley Ramirez from shortstop to third base on the table if Uribe did not return. Now, Ramirez is all but certain to return as the every-day shortstop in 2014 with Cuban defector Alexander Guerrero the most likely starter at second base and incumbent Adrian Gonzalez back at first base.

The Dodgers are still likely to shop for infield depth, choosing from a group that includes two of their own free agents, veterans Mark Ellis and Michael Young. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said earlier this week that he had remained in contact with their agents regarding the “fluid” situation in the Dodgers’ infield. That situation is less fluid now but the Dodgers still need to replace reserves Nick Punto and Skip Schumaker who left as free agents.

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